Berlin

I'm amazed at how many and wonderful fashion labels can be accessed through the internet. I'm glad I stumbled upon this online shop StyleServer that promotes independent designers, maybe you've been aware of it longer than I was, and, under its patronage (or maybe is the other way round) this great fashion and art blog: Bored&Beautiful. The shop is based in Berlin and it sells independent international labels, among which Adddress became my new favorite.

One of the main events held at Berlin Fashion Week was the conferring of Karstadt New Generation Award. Four young Berlin based labels: Pulver, Mongrels In Common, Miroike and QED presented their collections to a large audience together with established designers.

The Karstadt New Generation Award went to QED, a menswear label established in 2006, which will have the opportunity to design an exclusive collection for the notorious retailer. I will focus, though, on the other nominees who brought out fresh, modern women's wear designs.

Mongrels in Common was founded in May 2006 by two Esmod Berlin graduates: Livia Ximénez-Carrillo and Christine Pluess. Designing both menswear and women's wear, they put a strong emphasize on high-quality fabrics and manufacturing. They work mainly with premium wool and two-fold cotton, finest silk, nappa leather and denim, the result being an exclusive, elegant look which is very hip as well.

While the fashion shows didn't lack well-known labels I have to say that I was more impressed by students' presentations. The Weissensee School of Art and Design, first time guest at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, send down on the runway 10 collections with 100 outfits brilliantly designed by its students and recent graduates.